Today is suppose to be the last sunny and beautiful day for the rest of the week. As you may or may not have read, yesterday was not the nicest day, but did offer some adventure. In a carpe diem moment, James and I decided to take off on a day trip for a few hours to visit New Hampshire. This being our first trip to NH, we were both blown away by it's beauty.
We left around noon time and an hour later we were in NH, but still another hour away from our destination: Dublin, NH. As we got closer to our destination the altitude got higher and the trees bigger and tougher looking. The trees we saw looked like they have out lived some of the coldest winters imaginable. One of the most surprising things we saw were Moose Crossing signs. I knew we were North, but I didn't think we were that far.
Once reaching Dublin we stopped in at a little store called Hedge House for a souvenir, as we collect magnets from every state that we have traveled through. I also bought a beautiful porcelain pencil holder and a piece of neon green Fenton glass, which was their specialty. We made one more stop for the bathroom and then headed back for home.
In living in the Northeast I have to keep reminding myself that this is such a special time of year and will not last. I often remind myself that this place will be freezing in a few months time, and the summer is a time to be enjoyed outdoors. This is a very different perspective than I had in Florida. The summers in Florida were a time to be feared for their heat, and lacked out door enjoyment.
Returning home I couldn't believe I had seen mountains today. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon! Make sure to check out some of our photos on JJriders.com (soon to be a fully operational site full of motorcycle travel info, but currently linked to our Flicker photos).
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Stormy Bike Ride
The day started out with clear blue sky and a chance of afternoon showers. As part of new summertime exercise routine James and I decided to take an extended bike ride exploration together. Typically we will go off on our own expeditions on the bike, running errands and such, but today we figured we would combine our plans and spend the day together.
We road up to the next town north, Lexington, which is actually quite big. We encountered a Farmer's Market, stopped and bought a few fresh veggies for dinner. We sampled a few locally made items, and then got on our way. We were about 5 miles into the ride and had about 4 more to go. At the end of the Minute Man bike trail we stopped in at bicycle store for a look around. Now at about 3pm the day was going quick. We decided to get back on the trail and head back home. On the way back we made one more stop to have some water and use the bathroom. Now we where ready to make our way back home, as tonight was bike night (motorcycle type over in Lowell).
About 2 miles later the sky got dark and the rain came down. We pedaled on for about a half mile, maybe more, and then the rain just became too much. We detoured off the trail over to a little shop called Four Seasons. Unfortunately, they are for some reason closed on Tuesdays. Huddling under an awning we decided to wait out the storm. To our disbelief the storm got worse, the temperature dropped and then the hail began. I couldn't believe it, but right there in front of my eyes was pea-sized hail falling from the sky. Half crying and half laughing we patiently waited.
Finally, about a half an hour later the sun appeared. We made a break for it and headed home. With 5 miles to go we raced home, fearing that the storm was not over yet. We rode through puddles drenching ourselves even more, but we had to get home.
Soaked from face to toe (heads were covered with helmets), we made it home. Immediately following there was a hot shower, tea and fresh clothes. It reminded me of our cross country trip were we were repeated rained on day after day. I was officially initiated into the world of the cyclist. Thankfully we made it home just in time to miss the next round of rain and hail.
We road up to the next town north, Lexington, which is actually quite big. We encountered a Farmer's Market, stopped and bought a few fresh veggies for dinner. We sampled a few locally made items, and then got on our way. We were about 5 miles into the ride and had about 4 more to go. At the end of the Minute Man bike trail we stopped in at bicycle store for a look around. Now at about 3pm the day was going quick. We decided to get back on the trail and head back home. On the way back we made one more stop to have some water and use the bathroom. Now we where ready to make our way back home, as tonight was bike night (motorcycle type over in Lowell).
About 2 miles later the sky got dark and the rain came down. We pedaled on for about a half mile, maybe more, and then the rain just became too much. We detoured off the trail over to a little shop called Four Seasons. Unfortunately, they are for some reason closed on Tuesdays. Huddling under an awning we decided to wait out the storm. To our disbelief the storm got worse, the temperature dropped and then the hail began. I couldn't believe it, but right there in front of my eyes was pea-sized hail falling from the sky. Half crying and half laughing we patiently waited.
Finally, about a half an hour later the sun appeared. We made a break for it and headed home. With 5 miles to go we raced home, fearing that the storm was not over yet. We rode through puddles drenching ourselves even more, but we had to get home.
Soaked from face to toe (heads were covered with helmets), we made it home. Immediately following there was a hot shower, tea and fresh clothes. It reminded me of our cross country trip were we were repeated rained on day after day. I was officially initiated into the world of the cyclist. Thankfully we made it home just in time to miss the next round of rain and hail.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Green Monsters
As you may or may not know, "we" won the NBA Finals this week. Since being a resident James and I, have jumped on the band wagon and have been following the last few games. And if you were too, you know what a great game that last one was. What was it, a 40 point win? The final game we actually saw in NYC, so we missed all the rioting in Boston (just kidin').
The games in the Boston area are taken few seriously though. People come out wearing green and fill up the bars. It's quite an experience compared to Florida.
Today was the parade, which we didn't make it to, but what a great city for sports. And if you know me, I'm not much of a sports fan, but I could possibly become one up here.
Yay Celtics!
The games in the Boston area are taken few seriously though. People come out wearing green and fill up the bars. It's quite an experience compared to Florida.
Today was the parade, which we didn't make it to, but what a great city for sports. And if you know me, I'm not much of a sports fan, but I could possibly become one up here.
Yay Celtics!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
First Day of Class
This last weekend I had my first class. While I was a little nervous, since this was my first graduate class, I quickly felt reassured as class went on. This class is a weekend intensive, which is broken up over two weekends: one in June and one in July. The class is called Lifespan Developmental Psychology. This is actually one of the classes that I had to take at the undergraduate level to get into the program, but this class is much more in depth. I'm actually surprised at how much I'm enjoying it.
The books in the class are also really good too. Probably the best textbook I ever had to read: "Lives Across Cultures." And I'm just breaking into "Women's Way of Knowing." The class is focused on two areas of development that offend get over looked: cross culture development and women in general.
Today I received my first paper back in the mail. The topic was on Ecological Systems, and I received a B+, which I was happy about, but was really wanting that "A". My teacher has a great policy: we can rewrite any paper in the class to get a better grade. The emphasis is really on learning the material and not on test taking. Actually, we don't have any tests for this class. What a relief!
While the material is challenging, I welcome all of the debates and information presented. There are just so many smart people here. It's really great to be at such a good school.
The books in the class are also really good too. Probably the best textbook I ever had to read: "Lives Across Cultures." And I'm just breaking into "Women's Way of Knowing." The class is focused on two areas of development that offend get over looked: cross culture development and women in general.
Today I received my first paper back in the mail. The topic was on Ecological Systems, and I received a B+, which I was happy about, but was really wanting that "A". My teacher has a great policy: we can rewrite any paper in the class to get a better grade. The emphasis is really on learning the material and not on test taking. Actually, we don't have any tests for this class. What a relief!
While the material is challenging, I welcome all of the debates and information presented. There are just so many smart people here. It's really great to be at such a good school.
Summer Time Recipe
Here's a really great recipe for Gazpacho that I just tried out. It's from the cookbook "Sunfood Cuisine". It's great for a hot day and it's a totally raw dish, which means it's good for you too. Enjoy!
Ultimate Gazpacho
2 cups tomato
1 cup cucumber
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. jalapeño pepper, minced
1 garlic clove
Blend. Place in a bowl.
Add:
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup cucumber, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup of cilantro or parsley, chopped
And that should do it. Enjoy!
Ultimate Gazpacho
2 cups tomato
1 cup cucumber
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. jalapeño pepper, minced
1 garlic clove
Blend. Place in a bowl.
Add:
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup cucumber, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup of cilantro or parsley, chopped
And that should do it. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
One Month
It has just about been one month now since we have moved to the Boston area. Since we've been here we've been working on making this house our new home and exploring our neighborhood. I've also attending my first class, which was a weekend long intensive. I'm loving the material and the books that I've had to read for this class (Lifespan Developmental Psychology). And yesterday we officially became residents, as we went down to the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) and applied for our licenses.
So, back to the house. We each have a studio/office space that has been very helpful for us both. It's a great feeling to be so close, but also being able to working on our own projects. I also have an area in the living room where I can get some reading done, if I'm not feeling the office space. Oh, and the kitchen, the coziest kitchen where we have been doing lots of good and healthy cooking. It turns out that all of that furniture that we bought the month before leaving actually fit. Many times when we come home from an exploration about town and we find ourselves saying, " Do we actually live here?" We both feel very lucky to have such a nice home.
Recently on one of our outings around we ended up in the heart of Cambridge down by Central Square. We found a little bar called The Field, which oddly enough is the name of a restraurant/bar in Fort Lauderdale that we really liked, but no relation. This neighborhood is a bit different than ours in that ours is a bit more suburban, but not in an isolating way. While there are a lot of families around, we are just a couple of blocks down from Arlington Center, where there are shops and restraurants. It's a much quieter environment being a little further from the center of things, which mostly Cambridge is. Although, we're only 1 mile North, so it's very easy to get to.
There are lots of great neighborhood events here going on all the time. There was the Greek Festival that we attended a last week, and the Veterans Day parade a few weeks back. And I'm sure we've both mentioned Spy Pond, where we had a great little picnic (thanks for the cooler dad). I'm looking forward to the forth of July, as I hear Boston has a great show down by the Charles River.
As summer comes rolling in I am reminded of Florida. Yesterday it was 94 degrees here and I longed for some snow, but I'm sure I'll be getting plenty of that soon. So for now I'm soaking up the heat and enjoying a season I know very well.
So, back to the house. We each have a studio/office space that has been very helpful for us both. It's a great feeling to be so close, but also being able to working on our own projects. I also have an area in the living room where I can get some reading done, if I'm not feeling the office space. Oh, and the kitchen, the coziest kitchen where we have been doing lots of good and healthy cooking. It turns out that all of that furniture that we bought the month before leaving actually fit. Many times when we come home from an exploration about town and we find ourselves saying, " Do we actually live here?" We both feel very lucky to have such a nice home.
Recently on one of our outings around we ended up in the heart of Cambridge down by Central Square. We found a little bar called The Field, which oddly enough is the name of a restraurant/bar in Fort Lauderdale that we really liked, but no relation. This neighborhood is a bit different than ours in that ours is a bit more suburban, but not in an isolating way. While there are a lot of families around, we are just a couple of blocks down from Arlington Center, where there are shops and restraurants. It's a much quieter environment being a little further from the center of things, which mostly Cambridge is. Although, we're only 1 mile North, so it's very easy to get to.
There are lots of great neighborhood events here going on all the time. There was the Greek Festival that we attended a last week, and the Veterans Day parade a few weeks back. And I'm sure we've both mentioned Spy Pond, where we had a great little picnic (thanks for the cooler dad). I'm looking forward to the forth of July, as I hear Boston has a great show down by the Charles River.
As summer comes rolling in I am reminded of Florida. Yesterday it was 94 degrees here and I longed for some snow, but I'm sure I'll be getting plenty of that soon. So for now I'm soaking up the heat and enjoying a season I know very well.
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